Is Religion the "Opiate of the People"?

[AnarchistPatriot]

I often wondered if Marx was really condemning religion. Or rather was he saying that the churches had become enemies of social change. Social changes have, after all been opposed by religious bodies. This trend continues even today. The Church, for instance opposes contraceptives even for married people. I find this stance curious as the earth's population continues to expand to the breaking point. I truely wonder how a religion of compassion can support world overpopulation, which will lead inevitably to starvation and poverty.

While Marxist states have vigorously opposed religion, I do wonder if religion and social revolution can be compatible. It should be noted that a number of revolutionaries were men of faith. Tolstoy (though he wrote crappy stuff like Anna Karinina) believed in God and practiced a life of simplicity and love of fellow man. So was Henry David Thoreau who wrote of returning to a simple life. Ghandi led the largest non-violent revolution in India, though I doubt if he were alive today, that he would look favoribly towards modern India's militerism.

[CastleStormer]

Originally posted by AnarchistPatriot
The Church, for instance opposes contraceptives even for married people. I find this stance curious as the earth's population continues to expand to the breaking point. I truely wonder how a religion of compassion can support world overpopulation, which will lead inevitably to starvation and poverty.

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. What church are you talking about? You must be talking about some denomination.

And if you really think that the earth is overpopulated to the breaking point, please come to Dallas. I'll drive you across Texas, and through New Mexico. Then if you are still not convinced that there is room for bilions more, we'll head through Montana and both Dakotas.

[Armelius]

Marx made the statement that the church would always (from industrialization on) be subject and bend to the states will.

Marx believed that change was still possible through religion because all religions needed a strong state to inforce it's will on the people.

If the church inforced it's will on the people (as in the past) their would be wide desention and people would no longer be united under a common cause.

[theja]

Instead of Opiate, Marx preferred the real one: Vodka.

[AnarchistPatriot]

Originally posted by CastleStormer

I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. What church are you talking about? You must be talking about some denomination.

And if you really think that the earth is overpopulated to the breaking point, please come to Dallas. I'll drive you across Texas, and through New Mexico. Then if you are still not convinced that there is room for bilions more, we'll head through Montana and both Dakotas.

I speak of the Roman Catholic Church (of which I am a member) as well as Muslams, Orthodox and several fundementalist Christian bodies.

I have been to Texas many times, as well as New Mexico. I also been to the desert of Oregon which is possibly the most isolated region of the US outside of Alaska. Now these regions are empty but for a good reason. You cannot sustain life in a desert. Empty plains have water shortages. In Arizona, the cities of Pheonix and Tucson are built in regions which are arid. The only source of Water for Pheonix is the Colorado and Salt rivers which are miles away. Water is deverted from these rivers and farmers, ranchers and cities all fight for water rights.

[rikbe]

Originally posted by CastleStormer
And if you really think that the earth is overpopulated to the breaking point, please come to Dallas. I'll drive you across Texas, and through New Mexico. Then if you are still not convinced that there is room for bilions more, we'll head through Montana and both Dakotas.

Billions? OK at the condition they don't eat and don't consume energy.

[Armelius]

If you haven't read my other threads in the religion forum anarchistpatriot, then please do so.

From what I gathered, especially in thesollonians, you cannot be lawless and a member of a faith that expects to be saved.

Less you can save yourself looks like your going to hell with me. My contention is that this is hell just look how the rules are set up.